Red Bud is a city in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,804.
History
The city takes its name from the redbud tree, a species native to the area. The first European settler within what is now the city limits was Preston Brickey, who built a log cabin near the current intersection of Main and Power streets in 1820. The first permanent merchant, R. D. Durfee, established a business in 1840. Durfee built the first house and named the town after the redbud trees growing at the corner of Market and Main Streets.
The village of Red Bud was organized on April 19, 1866, and was chartered as a city on February 28, 1867. The first mayor was Jacob Miller.
Geography
Red Bud is located in the northwestern part of Randolph County, approximately 36 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 2.453 square miles (6.35 km²), of which 2.43 square miles (6.29 km²) is land and 0.023 square miles (0.06 km²) is water. Three state highways—Illinois Routes 3, 154, and 159—converge at the city's four-way stop.
Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Red Bud had a population of 3,804. The median age was 40.7 years. The racial composition was 93.6% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 1.6% of the population. The median household income was $71,850, and the per capita income was $37,419. Approximately 4.9% of the population was below the poverty line.
Economy and Infrastructure
Red Bud's economy is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and local services. The city is developing the Red Bud Business Park, a 50.58-acre site with 26 lots zoned for light industrial and commercial use. The city offers several economic development incentives, including property tax abatement, sales tax rebate programs, revolving loan programs, and an enterprise zone designation.
Red Bud benefits from multi-modal transportation access: it is within a two-day trucking distance of 80% of the U.S. population, is five minutes from the Kaskaskia Regional Port District Dock #2 for barge shipment, has access to six Class I railroads within a 45-minute drive, and is within an hour of St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Education
Red Bud is served by Red Bud Community Unit School District 132. The city is also home to the Red Bud campus of Southwestern Illinois College.
Healthcare
Red Bud Regional Hospital is a 25-bed facility providing emergency, medical, surgical, rehabilitation, and diagnostic imaging services.
Notable People
- Conrad F. Becker — Illinois State Treasurer and Mayor of Red Bud
- James Birchler — member of the National Academy of Sciences
- Martin Stephan — exiled Bishop of the German Lutheran emigration to Perry County, Missouri
Annual Events
Red Bud hosts several annual community events, including the Firemen's Picnic and Parade (last full weekend in June), Hop & Hogs Bre-B-Que (last weekend in September), a Chocolate Walk (February), and a Holiday Happenings event (weekend before Thanksgiving).
